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said Mariska in a huff. She turned and disappeared to the back of the house.
    Darla walked by and took one of everything on the plate.
    “Darla,” said Charlotte. “You’re just encouraging her.”
    “Why wouldn’t I encourage people to feed me?”
    “Sorry,” she said to Declan. “She means well.”
    Declan laughed. “Oh gosh, don’t apologize,” he said, taking a cracker and a slice of pepperoni. “I talk to old—er…”
    Declan glanced at Darla, who arched an eyebrow.
    “Tread lightly, mister.”
    Declan cleared his throat. “I mean, I talk to mature ladies all day long. They invite me to their houses to look at their antiques and they’re always trying to feed me. I’m used to it.”
    “I bet they do,” mumbled Charlotte.
    “Well, you’re so skinny. Both of you need to eat.”
    “I eat plenty. Don’t you worry,” said Declan.
    “And I live across the street from Mariska, so you know I’m not going to starve any time soon.”
    Charlotte saw Declan’s five o’clock shadow already showing. His hair was dark but his skin was pale for a Florida boy.
    “Black Irish?” she asked.
    “What’s that?”
    “Your name, your hair…I’m guessing you’re Irish?”
    “My father was from Dublin. Right off the boat.”
    “Was your mother from Ireland as well?”
    “My mother was just a plain old American. But Irish and German, I think. I got my height from her side.”
    “You are tall,” said Charlotte. Declan looked at her and she looked away, embarrassed.
    You are tall. What a stupid thing to say.
    “I mean, I’m tall so I notice when other people are,” she added.
    “What was her name, your mother?” asked Darla.
    “Erin.”
    “That’s a pretty name.”
    The room fell silent, but for the sound of Darla crunching on crackers.
    “I should probably go,” said Declan after a minute.
    He tried to stand, but it took several rocks back and forth to dislodge himself from the deep cushions of the chair.
    “Are you sure?” asked Charlotte, standing with him. “Do you feel okay to drive?”
    “I’m fine. Thank you. I appreciate you taking care of me. This just isn’t what I expected to find when I came to your house.”
    “No, you expected to find me dead,” said Charlotte.
    “No—well, yes, I guess I did,” he said, the left side of his mouth hooking into a tiny smile.
    He looked at her and she noticed his eyes were a brilliant green with brown edges around the iris.
    How did I not see those gems earlier?
    She suddenly felt very aware of herself and rushed to squash the uncomfortable silence.
    “So, for me, the day turned out better than expected. I’m alive.”
    Charlotte raised her hand to cover her mouth, realizing how tactless her statement had been.
    “That didn’t come out the way I meant it. I meant—”
    “I know what you meant,” said Declan with a chuckle, letting her off the hook. He put out his hand and she shook it, eyes locked on her toes.
    “Nice to meet you. Hope to see you again soon,” he said.
    “You, too.”
    “Nice to meet you, Darla.”
    “Nice to meet you,” said Darla, popping another cracker in her mouth. As he headed for the door she met eyes with Charlotte and smiled, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.
    Charlotte wrinkled her nose and waved her away.
    As Declan passed the hallway that led to the back of the house he called out to Mariska.
    “I’m leaving!” he said. “Thank you for everything!”
    Mariska burst out of the bedroom with the dogs exploding forward on either side of her. They raced down the hall and Declan jumped to his right to avoid being trampled.
    “Oh, my pleasure dear. You take care of yourself. Do you want a muffin to take home with you?”
    “No, thank you.”
    Declan offered a last wave to everyone before leaving.
    From the door, Charlotte watched him walk down the street to his car.
    “He has nice posture,” she said. “I mean, for a tall guy.”
    “He has nice a lot of things,” said Darla. “I can tell you